Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: MADTOM, CHECKERED

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: OSTEICHTHYES

Order: SILURIFORMES

Family: ICTALURIDAE

Genus: NOTURUS

Species: FLAVATER

Taxonomic Authority: TAYLOR

Taxonomy References: 002

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S3S4
GLOBAL RANK G3G4

Status References: 003 , 009 , 012

Habitat Summary

"Occur in pools and backwaters with clear water and bottom of organic debris, with no noticeable current."

Primary Habitat: "Aquatic - river/stream"

References: 001

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in the southern Ozarks from the upper White R.east to the Current R. *001*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BARRY HOWELL CHRISTIAN ADAIR
CARTER WEBSTER ANDREW
DOUGLAS ATCHISON
GREENE AUDRAIN
OREGON BARTON
OZARK BATES
RIPLEY BENTON
SHANNON BOLLINGER
STONE BOONE
TANEY BUCHANAN
TEXAS BUTLER
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CAPE GIRARDEAU
CARROLL
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DUNKLIN
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MISSISSIPPI
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEW MADRID
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OSAGE
PEMISCOT
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SCOTT
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. FRANCOIS
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STODDARD
SULLIVAN
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WAYNE
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 006 , 007

Distribution by Watersheds

White R. above Tablerock Dam
James R.
White R. below Tablerock Dam and Little North Fork White R.
North Fork White R.
Current R.
Eleven Point R.

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Ozark Highlands

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Cedar Glades
Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: White River
Ozark: Lower Ozark

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Riverine

Aquatic Associations:

"Riverine, lower perennial"
"Riverine, lower perennial", "Unconsolidated bottom, organic"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001

Habitat Types:

Permanent Stream

References for Habitat Types: 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Omnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Food Habits Unknown; Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Turbidity: clear water
Bottom type: organic debris
Gradient: low
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Natural features: pools

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Water temperature specified in comments(00010)
Turbidity: clear water
Siltation: low
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: organic debris
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)
Gradient: low
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Elevation 501-1000'
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: runs or raceways

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 007 , 008 , 011

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: clear water
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: pebble
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Bottom type: boulders
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Gradient: low
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: runs or raceways
Natural features specified in comments(00280)

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 013 , 001 , 007

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Turbidity: clear water
Bottom type: sand
Bottom type: pebble
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: rubble
Bottom type: boulders
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Gradient: low
Current velocity: no noticable current
Water level: permanently flooded
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Natural features: pools
Natural features: runs or raceways
Natural features specified in comments(00280)

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Bottom type specified in comments(00100)
Bottom type: boulders
Bottom type: gravel
Bottom type: organic debris
Bottom type: pebble
Bottom type: rubble
Bottom type: sand
Current velocity: no noticable current
Elevation 501-1000'
Gradient: low
Inland wetlands: backwaters
Inland wetlands: permanent stream
Natural features specified in comments(00280)
Natural features: pools
Natural features: runs or raceways
Siltation: low
Stream order specified in comments(00260)
Stream order: fifth order stream
Stream order: seventh order stream
Stream order: sixth order stream
Turbidity: clear water
Underwater cover specified in comments(00105)
Water depth specified in comments(00230)
Water level: permanently flooded
Water temperature specified in comments(00010)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Searches bottom for food *001*
007 Nests found July 11 *008*
021 Male guards nest *008*
038 Adults commonly 4-6.7" long, to a maximum of 7.1" *001*.
041 Fecundity 93-340, average 240 *008*
012 Spawn under large flat rocks *008*
022 Some females mature at 1 year, most at 2-3 years and greater than70 mm sl *008*
018 One clutch with 304 embryos has been found in MO *008*

Life History Information

Periodicity: active at night
Age and growth information specified in comments(038)
Fecundity specified in comments(041)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Foraging strategy specified in comments(004)
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites: feed on bottom of stream, lake or pond
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Spawning site: standing water
Spawning site: flowing water
Spawning site: sand
Spawning site: gravel
Spawning site specified in comments(012)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Parental care of young specified in comments(021)
Age at sexual maturity specified in comments(022)

Comments about Life History:

Code Comment
004 Searches bottom for food *001*
007 Nests found July 11 *008*
021 Male guards nest *008*
038 Adults commonly 4-6.7" long, to a maximum of 7.1" *001*.
041 Fecundity 93-340, average 240 *008*
012 Spawn under large flat rocks *008*
022 Some females mature at 1 year, most at 2-3 years and greater than70 mm sl *008*
018 One clutch with 304 embryos has been found in MO *008*

References for life history: 001 , 008

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - control sedimentation
Water - develop/maintain streamside vegetation
Water - stabilize streambanks
Agricultural - control erosion

Beneficial Management References: 006

Adverse Managment Practices:

Adverse Management References: 014

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Pflieger, W.L. 1997. The Fishes Of Missouri, Revised Edition. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 372 Pp.
002 Nelson, Joseph S., Edwin J. Crossman, Héctor Espinosa-Pérez, Lloyd T. Findley, Carter R. Gilbert, Robert N. Lea, and James D. Williams. 2004. Common And Scientific Names Of Fishes From The United States, Canada and Mexico (6th Ed.). Amer. Fish Soc. Spec. Publ. No. 29. 386 pp.
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
007 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. The Stream Resources Of Missouri. D-J Project F-1-R-28, Study S-20. Mo Dept. Of Conserv., 1110 S. College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. (573-882-9880).
008 Burr, B.M. and R.L. Mayden. 1984. Reproductive Biology Of The Checkered Madtom (Noturus Flavater) With Observations On Nesting In The Ozark (N. Albater) And Slender (N. Exile) Madtoms (Siluriformes:Ictaluridae). Amer. Midl. Nat. 112:408-414.
009 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
010 Pflieger, W.L. 1989. Aquatic Community Classification System For Missouri. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Aquatic Series No. 19. 70 Pp + Supplement.
011 Unpb Pflieger, W.L. Collection Records. Mo Dept Of Conservation, 1110 College Ave., Columbia, Mo 65201. 573-882-9880.
012 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
013 Banks, S.M. and R.J. Distefano. 2001. Diurnal Habitat Associations Of The Madtoms Noturus Albater, N. Exilis, N. Flavater And N. Flavus In Missouri Ozarks Streams. Am. Midl. Nat. 148:138-145.
014 Quinn, Jeffrey W. and Thomas J. Kwak. 2003. Fish assemblage changes in an Ozark River after impoundment: a long-term perspective. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. 132:110-119